18th August 2023 16:46:58 Hours
On 17 August 2023, the 8 Battalion Gemunu Watch troops of 611 Infantry Brigade under 61 Infantry Division of Security Forces (West) quickly responded to a request from the Divisional Secretariat- Kalthota to douse a bush fire that had been spreading rapidly in the Rajawaka Forest Reserve in the Kongahamankada, Kalthota area.
Following the directions of the Commander Security Forces (West), a contingent of Army personnel, including three officers and 30 Other Ranks involved in to extinguish the fire. The fire has been erupting intermittently in the forest reserve.
Further, the task was closely monitored by the Commander 611 Infantry Brigade and the Commanding Officer of 8 Battalion Gemunu Watch.
